Ever wondered what it was like before for me? Ever wondered how it felt to live alone for decades? It wasn't all that pleasant for me. For one thing, my parents and sister died. Wait. Should that be the right word? No. They were killed. Yes. Killed. It wasn’t your ordinary murder either. No. Our parents were killed by vampires. Vampires? They don’t exist! You’re dead wrong. Vampires do exist. They’re real. Flesh and… should I say blood? It’s what vampires crave. Apparently that’s why my parents died. They denied. They refused. They wanted to protect my sister and me. When it started, I was only the age of fourteen. My sister was sixteen. All I remember was a bright fire. The heat was consuming me. I couldn’t breathe. My sister’s arms were secured around my lithe figure. I knew I was crying. “Give us the children.” a harsh voice demanded. My mother stood in front of us. Her dress was scorched slightly on the edges. “No. You may never have my children.” she hissed. My mother was brave. The man glared at her. “They’re meant to be with us. Their blood proves it.” My father stood to the man. “No. They don’t deserve to be monsters like you.” “Don’t you mean like yourself?! They are your offspring, Lucius! You’re vampire, too!” I never that until that moment. My father… was a vampire. He sighed deeply. “I know. I wish such a curse wasn’t upon my children.” He gave my sister and me a longing look. “I apologize for that. All I wanted was to protect you. I failed.” “No! Father, you can’t say that!” my sister shouted. “Celia!” My sister lowered herself, calming her anger. The man that intruded us laughed. “It doesn’t matter now!” All I saw was red. I didn’t know if I screamed. Everything happened so fast. I saw my mother’s still eyes. She was laid upon the floor. She was stone dead. Blood draining from her neck and mouth. It was a gruesome sight. The fire engulfed her. I wanted to reach out and touch her, but I was held down. My father was fighting the other man. They took it outside. “Come on, Joel. We have to get out of here.” Celia led me outside. Once out, the house fell. The heat waves spread, slamming its warmth against my exposed skin. Celia and I observed my father fighting the other vampire. I gasped when he was gripped by the neck. The man wasted no time digging his fangs inside the skin of my father and ripping his head off. My sister screamed and fell to her knees. I just stood there, feeling hopeless and lost. “No…” I whispered. The man stalked over to us, smirking evilly. “Now that they’re out of our way…” A woman with dark navy locks appeared. She held me tightly and chuckled. “I don’t see why he kept them half human. It’s disgusting.” “It was insane to even marry that filth.” “Don’t insult our parents like that!” Celia shouted. The man frowned. “This one doesn’t seem all too approving.” Celia’s body fell before my eyes. Her eyes inherited a white veil over her brown eyes. Blood dripped slowly from her mouth. Like our mother’s. Tears stung my eyes. “No… how could you?” The man chuckled. “She wasn’t going to be of use anyways. You, on the other hand, are unusual. Something about you is striking.” I grimaced. “Let me go!” The woman chuckled again, sending shivers down my spine. “I think not.” The man stepped forward, his fangs bearing. “Stay calm. This won’t hurt.” I whimpered and began to struggle. “No! I don’t want this!” Suddenly, my body tensed. I felt a wave wash over my mind. The woman shushed me. “It will all be over soon.” I didn’t utter a word. I gasped when a sharp pain in my neck came. The man was biting me. Turning me into a full vampire. My tears fell. I couldn’t hold them much longer. Blackness whirled around me.

I woke up, groaning about a pain. I gasped, alert about the unfamiliar place. I was in some room. A very elegant one. The walls were a pale grey, decorated with paintings of unknown people. A dresser stood tall and proud against a wall. The bed I laid on was covered with black silk sheets and covers. The pillows were silk as well, laced with a floral pattern. The posts were twisted and colored with a grey hue. I looked to the large balcony windows. The sun was out. I slowly crawled out the bed and walked over to the balcony. The sun didn’t kill me. Why? I was immune to it. “Joel! Are you awake?” I looked into the room and saw the woman from before. She looked… happier. More joyous. I stepped back when she walked to me. She sighed and smiled. “I won’t hurt you.” I didn’t trust her words. She gripped my hands and led me back into the room. “I’m glad to see you’re awake. I was afraid that you wouldn’t have made it.” Afraid? She was worried for me? “Yes, I was.” I gasped. Could she read minds? “Yes. I’m telepathic.” I blinked dumbfounded. “How… what happened? How long have I….” She placed me on the bed and rubbed my cheek. Something about her made me calm. “Listen. I’ll answer all your questions. First, I was born with the ability. You were turned by Magnis. You’ve been unconscious for three weeks.” I slunked. She sensed it and rubbed my cheek again. “I know you feel fear. I’m sorry for that.” After a brief moment of silence, I spoke. “Who are you? And where am I?” The woman stood. She walked over to the dresser and placed her hands in a bowl. “I’m Victoria. You’re with us. At our coven’s home.” “Coven?” Victoria nodded. “Yes. Vampires have covens. We are the Eyus Coven.” “Oh.” I sighed and lied against the blanket. Victoria walked to me, a soaked cloth in her petite hand. She placed the warm cloth on my forehead. I tensed with slight anger and fear. I was a vampire now. A full vampire. I didn’t even want to look at myself. I wouldn’t have the same chocolate eyes, colored skin, and auburn hair. Victoria wiped the tears from my face. “Oh, Joelisa. Don’t cry. It will be okay.” I shook my head and tore her hands from me. “NO IT WILL NOT!” I shouted. I let anger conquer me. “My family is dead! I’m now alone!” I covered my face with my hands. I sobbed greatly with woe. I felt pathetic, but had reasons. Victoria quickly took me in her arms and cradled me like a baby. “Oh no. Joelisa, please.” Now she was using my name. My real birth name. She rubbed my back, shushing me. It felt as if she was treating me like her child. “Please, Joel. I didn’t mean any offense to you. I apologize greatly.” I ceased my tears and sobbing. I wondered what it would be like now. Being a fourteen year old vampire.

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It’s now the year of 2013. I’m now 214 years old. Yet, still miserable. My family was dead. What would you expect me to feel? I hissed loudly as my blanket was pulled off me. The sun’s warmth hit my exposed skin quickly. “Pull back the curtains now!” I demanded with my eyes closed. I heard a girlish chuckle. No doubt it was my coven mate Kim. “Sorry, Joel. You know school starts again today. So get your ass up.” I shook my head and pulled my blanket over my head. Kim climbed in my bed. She was trying to piss me off. “Joel, come on. Winter Break is over!” “Fuck off, Kimberly!” Kim huffed. I didn’t have to look to know she crossed her arms. “I will force you.” I sighed and sat up. “Kim, please. I’m tired.” “Big deal. Get up. We can’t be late on the first day back.” I sighed. I had to agree on that. I nodded and waited for Kim to exit the room. I knew it was another typical school day. Nothing would have changed. Sensing it would be chilled a little, I choose to dress in a grey sweater and ash black jeans. Taking a long hot shower, I thought back. All I could remember was my family. My sister, Celia. My parents. I knew I was crying again. Nowadays, I would cry constantly. I couldn’t resist it.

I went downstairs, greeted by Victoria first hand. “I was wondering when you would come up.” I shrugged. “I would eventually.” “Finally, Little Joel has come down.” I glared at Derus, Kim’s boyfriend/mate. He smirked at me. He started the ‘little’ thing when I finally accepted the coven. I was the smallest male there because how old I was when I was turned and I was the most feminine. It sucks. I somehow inherit my mother’s feminism. I huffed and crossed my arms. “Derus, save your lame ass comments later.” I hissed. Kim nudged her mate’s arm. “Derus, what did I say about teasing Joel?” “I couldn’t help it. He’s always out there,” Victoria must have read my thoughts. She grabbed me before I could lunge at Derus. “Joelisa, calm yourself.” I obeyed and settled down. He wouldn’t be so lucky next time. Derus chuckled lowly. “Come on. Max and Angie waiting for us.” I grabbed my bag and followed the older vampires to Max’s silver van. I winced at the wind hitting my cheek. “What took so long?” Angie asked. I sighed at Kim’s response. “Joel was taking too long getting out of bed.” Angie eyed me. “What made you so tired?” “If you’re trying to say I was having sex with someone, guess again.” I growled, crossing my arms. “Someone needs coffee fast.” “I prefer a frappe, Maximus.” Max gave me thumbs up and started up the vehicle.

I knew it would be another typical day at high school. I watched as each teen did whatever. Many, like us, were sitting on the hoods of their cars, chatting about anything. Others were walking in the school or playing some sport on the front lawn. Others were doing anything else or arriving. I took another sip of my frappe. It was better than regular coffee. I listened as my friends discussed what might happen today. The conversation stopped instantly when a black car rolled into a parking lot just across from us. Five teens climbed out and glared at us. Yet, one looked… emotionless. I didn’t show emotion either. “I hoped that they would just die already.” Kim muttered. They were vampires like us, but they were a rival coven. The Vivus Coven. The emotionless one looked at me and I stared back. Why was he looking at me like that? He turned and followed his coven mates to the school when the starting bell rung. I examined his body language. Somehow I knew he was… hurt, too.

Kim wasn’t like Victoria. She couldn’t read minds, but she knew I was mulling something over. “Joelisa, what’s going on with you?” she asked. I sighed and wrapped myself in my own arms. “Nothing. Just… bored?” Kim raised a perfect eyebrow. “I don’t take your word for it. You seem to be thinking of something or someone. Tell.” I sighed and looked down at my salad. “I’m sorry, Kim. I can’t say it. I’m not sure what’s going on.” Kim huffed and reached a fork in my salad. “Well, if you’re not going to eat…” “Have it.” “Yes!” Kim continued to eat her ‘award’. Derus chuckled. “What is on your mind?” I shook my head. “Nothing.” I admit it now. I was thinking of him. His emotionless face. The way his red eyes glowed pure pain. I felt something cold hit the back of my neck. Looking over my shoulder, I saw our rival group from earlier. They were sitting two tables away from us. They were indulged into a conversation except him. He was silent. Instantly our eyes met again. I tensed. Somehow, I got a clear image of him in my mind. He looked different and happier. A girl was next to him, smiling and laughing. They were in a park, holding hands. They weren’t for long. I saw the girl, dead on dark grass. Her eyes dark with death. Her hair sprawled out like a river of gold. I was him, kneeling over her. His eyes flared red. I shook the image from my head and stood. Across the way, he looked in shock. We glanced at each other. ‘What was I seeing just now? Why did I see his past?’  I gasped. I read his thought. Only his thought. How could that be possible? I ran out the cafeteria, ignoring Angie’s pleas for me to slow down. I came to the courtyard. The others were behind me. “Joelisa! Stop!” I slunk against a tree. I was so confused. How could I have seen his memories and read his thoughts? Everything happened so fast. Max kneeled next to me and rubbed my arm. “Joel, explain. Why did you run out like that?” I shook my head. Angie took the other side of me. “Joel, speak now. What happened back there?” I regained my emotions and answered softly. “I saw his past.” I looked at the now confused expressions. “What? Whose?” “His. The one in the rival coven. We just look at each other and I saw a memory of his. I also read his thought.” Kim gave me a worried expression. “Damn. This is so not happening to you.” I looked at my friend with fear. “What?! What are you trying to say, Kim?” Kim sighed. She helped me to my feet and patted my arm. “I’ll be sure to get Magnis to explain. Right now we have to continue with school.” I had to admit I felt so scared. Very scared.